A POSTCARD FROM OVERWORKED SWEDEN

It isn’t easy being Swedish. A report has just come out showing that the average full-time worker is now toiling 26.2 hours a week, a historic high. Some labor unions are calling for changes to these long hours with claims that working that many hours “may affect people’s health. It is, however, interesting to note that Swedish workers, particularly those employed in factory work, are generally thought to be above average when it comes to issues of worker productivity. Sweden may be the world’s best example of the overall benefits of frequent work breaks, an unusually healthy diet, and a “no worries” attitude about health care needs and retirement.